Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Federal University Dutse, Dutse, Jigawa 7200234, Nigeria, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
  • 2 School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
  • 3 University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
  • 4 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria
  • 5 Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
  • 6 Malaria Consortium, Jigawa State Office, Dutse, Nigeria
  • 7 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
  • 8 School of Global Health and Bioethics, Euclid University, Banjul, Gambia
  • 9 Jigawa State Hospital Services, Dutse, Nigeria
  • 10 Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
  • 11 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, Venom-Antivenom Research Project (VASP) and Nigeria-Snakebite Research and Intervention Centre (N-SRIC), Kano, Nigeria
Ther Adv Infect Dis, 2021 08 19;8:20499361211039379.
PMID: 34434552 DOI: 10.1177/20499361211039379

Abstract

Introduction: Anti-snake venom (ASV) is the standard therapy for the management of snakebite envenoming (SBE). Therefore, the knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) is essential for achieving optimal clinical outcomes in snakebite management. This study aimed to assess knowledge of ASV among the HCPs in northern Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving eligible HCPs from different healthcare settings in northern Nigeria. The participants were recruited into the study using a combination of online (via Google Form) and face-to-face paper-based survey methods. The ASV knowledge of the respondents was measured using a validated anti-snake venom knowledge assessment tool (AKAT). Inadequate overall knowledge of ASV was defined as scores of 0-69.9%, and 70-100% were considered adequate overall knowledge scores. The predictors of ASV knowledge were determined using multiple logistic regression.

Results: Three hundred and thirty-one (331) eligible HCPs were included in the study analysis (310 from online and 21 from paper-based survey). Overall, an estimated 12.7% of the participants had adequate knowledge of ASV. Adequate ASV knowledge was higher among physicians compared with other HCPs (21.7%; χ2 = 8.1; p = 0.04). Those without previous training on ASV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.73; p = 0.004) and who have not previously administered/dispensed ASV (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.63; p 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.